Removal of low level organics via hydrogen peroxide formed in a reticulated vitreous carbon cathode cell. Part 2: The removal of phenols and related compounds from aqueous effluents

摘要

It is demonstrated that hydrogen peroxide, electrogenerated at a reticulated vitreous carbon cathode by the reduction of oxygen in the presence of Fe(II) is a powerful oxidant for organic compounds. It is a convenient and efficient approach to the removal of organics in slightly acidic aqueous media and compounds studied include phenol, cresol, catechol, quinone, hydroquinone, aniline, oxalic acid and the azo-dye, amaranth; in general, chemical oxygen demand (COD) can be reduced from 50-500 ppm to below 10 ppm, generally with a current efficiency >50%.